Self latching hinge

ABSTRACT

A self-latching hinge having leaf spring means mounted in a nonmetallic retaining cage supported by a curl portion of a first hinge leaf with the opposite ends of the cage positioned in the path of lobes protruding from curl portions of the second hinge leaf. The cage is resilient and shaped to hold itself and the spring means in assembled position behind the hinge pin. The spring operates to resiliently latch the door or the like supported by the hinge resiliently in closed position. Spring energy released during the opening movement is dissipated gradually as the door opens thereby avoiding abrupt door movement. Tangs integral with one hinge leaf are effective to align the hinge axis accurately parallel to the edge of the door while the hinge is being mounted. The other hinge leaf incorporates self-clamping means for mounting the hinge on the door frame. A pair of hinge pins interfit with one another and with the curls with a press fit.

United States Patent 1 Wilson Feb. 13, 1973 [54] SELF LATCHING HINGE[76] inventor: Harry C. Wilson, 15126 Rayneta Drive, Sherman Oaks,Calif. 91403 22 Filed: Nov. 18, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 90,692

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gorton et al. 16/ 142Lickteig l 6/1 84 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay Assistant ExaminerDorisL. Troutman Attorney-Sellers & Brace [5 7] ABSTRACT A self-latchinghinge having leaf spring means mounted in a non-metallic retaining cagesupported by a curl portion of a first hinge leaf with the opposite endsof the cage positioned in the path of lobes protruding from our]portions of the second hinge leaf. The cage is resilient and shaped tohold itself and the spring means in assembled position behind the hingepin. The spring operates to resiliently latch the door or the likesupported by the hinge resiliently in closed position. Spring energyreleased during the opening movement is dissipated gradually as the dooropens thereby avoiding abrupt door movement. Tangs integral with onehinge leaf are effective to align the hinge axis accurately parallel tothe edge of the door while the hinge is being mounted. The other hingeleaf incorporates self-clamping means for mounting the hinge on the doorframe. A pair of hinge pins interfit with one another and with the curlswith a press fit.

33 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures as I 25/ ii i g 22 34 L 33 35 46 771-1 d35 s 2/ l l 22 n vac PATENTED FEB 1 3 I975 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR C.W/fiO/V SELF LATCIIING HINGE This invention relates to door hinges, andmore particularly to a self-latching hinge of improved constructionembodying caged leaf spring means carried by the pivoting hinge leaf andhaving portions located to be carried past lobes fixed to the curlportions of the stationary hinge leaf and cooperating therewith to latchthe hinge and a door mounted thereon in closed position.

The present invention is related to the self latching hinge constructiondisclosed in my copending applica tion for U.S. letters Patent Ser. No.807,796 filed Feb. 25,1969, now Patent No. 3,605,175.

The aforesaid earlier hinge construction has been.

eminently satisfactory but is subject to certain shortcomings avoided bythe present invention. For example, the spring leaf of the earlierdesign included an indentation in its mid portion shaped to seat in acomplementally shaped seating recess and its opposite ends whereslightly curled adjacent portions of the spring wiped by the edges ofthe fulcrum lobes carried by the hinge curl as the hinge approaches andmoves away from its closed position. In some instances, these structuralfeatures cause premature failure of the spring due to fracture of thespring in the vicinity of the indentation, as well as wear in thelobe'engaging areas, and objectionable noise and squeaking under certainadverse conditions.

Accordingly, it is a primary purpose of the present invention to providean improved self-latching hinge avoiding the foregoing and other minorshortcomings of prior hinge designs of this type and, additionally, toinclude other features of a desirable and unique nature. To this end, inthe hinge construction of this invention the spring means supplying thelatching power is formed from one or more leaf springs captivelyretained within non-metallic cage means shaped to have interlockingengagement with portions of the hinge curl structure of one hinge leaf.The spring cage is interposed between the spring and camming lobescarried by the curls of the other spring leaf so that the spring meansis stressed by forces transmitted through the resilient cage therebyavoiding any wiping contact between metallic components, greatlyminimizing wear on the parts, and eliminating any possibility of noise.

Another feature involves the provision of tang means integral with onehinge leaf and having positioning edges accurately parallel with thehinge axis and effective to engage the edge of a door or other structureon which the hinge is being mounted to hold the hinge axis accuratelyparallel to the door edge while the hinge fasteners are being installed.

Still another feature of the present hinge is the provision of a pair ofhinge pins designed to have a press fit with one another as well as withthe interior surfaces of the hinge curl on one hinge leaf. This dualpress fit provides ample insurance against the possibility ofdisassembly of the pins and avoids the need for fasteners or the needtoupset any portion of theghinge pin to complete the assembly operation.Additionally, the present hinge pins can be disassembled and reassembledrepeatedly.

Either a single or multiple spring leaf may be used to perform thelatching function and this expedient makes it a simple matter to' changeor adjust the strength of the spring bias. The latching lobes includetwo distinct surfaces located at different radial distances from thehinge axis, the higher lobe surface being effective to providerelatively strong latching action whereas the lower relatively broadlobe surface is positioned to slow the opening action of the dooran-hinge after release from latched position, thereby avoiding thepossibility of the door swinging open rapidly and against the operatoror some other object in its path.

It is therefore a primary object. of the present invention to provide animproved, self-latching hinge Encorporating numerous novel features.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a self latchinghinge designed for assembly quickly and simply utilizing componentsinterlocking and internesting with one another.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a self-latchinghinge utilizing simply formed spring means nested into non-metallicretaining cage means having an interlocking fit with portions of thehinge curls.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedself-latching hinge energized by a leaf spring held captive in anon-metallic cage interposed between the ends of the spring and thecamming lobes carried by I one of the hinge leaves thereby eliminatingthe possibility of wiping contact, noise and wear between metalcomponents. I

Another object of the invention is the provision of a self latchinghinge utilizing a leaf spring to bias the hinge to its closed positionand so mounted on one hinge leaf that the opposite ends of the springnever contact any part of either hinge leaf.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading thefollowing specification and claims and upon considering in connectiontherewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a horizontal cross sectional view through a cabinet doorsupported by one preferred embodiment of the invention self latchinghinge;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 2--2 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view on an enlarged scale takenalong line 3-3 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line4-4 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view on an enlarged scale takenalong line 5-5 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the spring retainer cage;

FIG. 7 is an elevational sectional view taken along line 7-7 on FIG. 8but with the door swung counterclockwise from a fully closed positionand showing the opposite ends of the spring cage supported on the endcurls of the pivoting hinge leaf;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 on FIG. 7 but withthe door swung further open;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 except showing the door approachingits closed latched position with the spring resting against the highpoint of the lobes;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the door moving toward amore fully open position than in FIG. 9 and with the spring restingagainst the lower lobe;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the hinge per se as viewed from theinterior side of its stationary leaf;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross sectional view through the tip of themounting screw for the stationary leaf; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 13-13 onFIG. 3.

Referring initially more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 11, there is showna preferred embodiment of the invention self latching hinge assemblydesignated generally 10. Hinge includes a U-shaped first or stationaryleaf 11 equipped with a clamping screw 12 holding this leaf clamped tothe edge of a cabinet door frame 13. The second or pivoting hinge leaf14 is secured to a cabinet door 15 as by screws 16. One leg of theU-shaped stationary leaf 11 is turned outwardly at substantially 90thereto and formed into a pair of aligned but axially separated curls23,23 (FIG. 11). These curls interleaf with axially aligned curls24,25,26 formed on the out-turned adjacent edge of the second hinge leaf14. When accurately intermeshed the curls are held assembled by a pairof hinge pins 20,21 (FIG. 4) the inner ends of which are forciblytelescoped together at 22, the nesting ends having a snug press fit. Theinterior surfaces 23 contiguous to the adjacent ends of curl 25 alsohave a snug frictional fit with the juxtaposed surfaces of hinge pins20,21. Accordingly, it will be recognized that this latter press fit aswell as the press fit between the telescoped ends 22 of the pinssupplement one another in holding the hinge pins assembled. Should oneof these press fits be defective or inadequate for any reason the otherwill remain effective to hold the hinge leaves assembled. The outer endsof both pins are headed, as is clearly shown in FIG. 4, and a sharpedged tool may be inserted beneath these heads and used to pry the pinsapart should it be desirable for any reason to disassemble hinge leaves11,14. After disassembly the parts are reassembled by again pressing thepins home. Disassembly may be carried out a number of times withoutadverse affects on the effectiveness ofthe several friction fits betweenthe parts.

The mounting of hinge assembly 10 to door frame 13 and door 15 ispreferably carried out by first securing the pivoting leaf 14 of a pairof hinges to the inner face of a door 15. As herein shown, door 15 has abevelled edge 19 serving in part as a finger grip in opening the doorand, in part, to conceal a major portion of the hinge area, as isevident from FIG. 1. The accurate positioning of a pair of the hingespreliminary to fastening them to the door with their hinge axes alignedand accurately parallel to the edge 19 of the door is greatly expeditedby the provision of positioning and aligning tangs 28,28 best shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5. These tangs are integral with hinge leaf 14 andproject outwardly therefrom with one corner edge accurately spaced fromand parallel to the hinge axis. Accordingly, the installer merely placesa pair of the hinges against the rear face of the door and shifts themto the left as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 5 until tangs 28 are in firmabutment with door edge 19 until the fastening screws 16 are firmlytightened.

Thereafter the hinge-equipped door is easily installed by a novice byplacing the U-shaped leaves 11 astride the edge of door frame 13 andholding them firmly in this position while the single clamping screw 12of each is tightened against the inner surface of the door frame.Clamping screw 12 has a self-tapping thread 120 and the pointed forwardend of which shank is forcibly threaded into a dished pressure pad suchas washer 12b (FIG. 12). The sharprim edge of this pad bites into thewood as screw 12 is tightened and provides a wide area clamping base theholding action of which preferably is supplemented by sharp edged ribs12c stamped into the inner surface of leaf 11 as is best shown in FIG.3. These ribs are forced to bite into the outer face of door frame 13 asclamping screw 12 is tightened.

The spring subassembly comprises a spring retainer cage 30, best shownin FIG. 6, and one or more flat leaf springs 31,32. Cage 30 ispreferably molded in one piece from a tough resilient thermoplasticmaterial and embodies a considerable number of features best illustratedin FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. Cage 30 can be roughly described as generallychannel shaped in cross section and is closed at its opposite ends byendwalls 33 which protrude across the opposite ends of spring leaves31,32 and are recessed to accommodate these ends. The springs may be ofdifferent thicknesses and strength and, if desired, a single spring maybe employed to provide whatever spring strength is desired for aparticular installation. In this connection it will be understood thatthe stiffer the spring the stronger the latching action. The bottomwalls of cage 30 slope upwardly and outwardly to provide cammingsurfaces 34 to facilitate assembly of the spring in cage 30 and beneaththe flat portion of center curl 25 carried by pivoting hinge leaf 14.This detail will become more apparent from following portions of thisdescription. The higher ends 35 of camming surfaces 34 are positioned toengage the adjacent surfaces of the leaf spring when the spring assemblyis under high stress and this detail likewise will be described morefully presently.

The mid portion of cage 30 carries a pair of outwardly protruding bosses36,37. Boss 36 extends into the space between curls 23,23 (FIGS. 4 and7) and cooperates with these curls to lock the cage against endwisedisplacement, whereas boss 37 projects outwardly from one side only ofcage 30 and lies flush against the interior sidewall of curl 25 (FIG.3). It will be understood that the total width of cage 30 in a planepassing through bosses 36,37 is such that cage 30 has a sliding fitbetween the parallel sidewalls of curl 25, a fact made clear by FIG. 3.

Curl 25 embraces the mid portion of the hinge pin as well as straddlesthe adjacent portion of the spring and its retaining cage 30. Curl 25 isbest shown in FIG. 3 and is generally D-shaped as viewed from either endwith its curved side closely embracing the hinge pin and its flat sideserving as a fixed rest for the bowed mid portion of springs 31,32. Oneend of the straight portion of the curl extends into and is staked to anopening 39 of hinge leaf 14, this detail being best shown in FIG.

3. Prior to assembly, spring leaves 31,32 are flat. However, owing tothe dimensions of the parts, and the position of the flat shelf portionsof curl 25, the springs are stressed and bowed slightly when inassembled position. This assembly is carried out by first inserting thecage until seated, and then inserting the springs endwise of the cageusing cam surface 34 to cam the advance end of the spring into assembledposition.

When the hinge is in open position, shallow basses 40 protruding towardsthe hinge pin from the bottom of cage 30 rest against the adjacentsurfaces of curl 24 and 26 in the manner shown in FIG. 7. At this timethe op posite ends of the springs are supported on the recesses in therims of the cage endwall 33 (FIG. 7). However, when the spring assemblyis supported on the camming lobes 45, as it is in the position of theparts shown in FIG. 4, springs 31,32 are bowed and bosses 40 are out ofcontact with curls 24,26. The spring ends are no longer supported on therecessed rims of endwalls 33, but instead on surfaces 35 at the upperhigher ends of the camming surfaces 34 of cage 30.

The latching lobes will now be described, it being noted that curls 23of stationary hinge leaf 11 are considerably wider than the curls ofleaf 14. The adjacent ends of curls 23 encircle the hinge pins and gripthese pins tightly as aforementioned, whereas the remote ends of curls23,23 embrace somewhat less than 180 of the hinge pin, with the free endof the curls projecting tangentially to the hinge pin, as is best shownin FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 to form camming lobes 45 each having a high point46. A supplemental high point 46 (FIGS. 9, 10) has a considerablybroader surface circumferentially of the hinge pin and is spacedradially closer to the hinge pin axis than is the highest edge 46 oflobes 45.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that as door moves clockwise froman open position, such as that shown in FIG. 8, toward closed position,that the under or bottom side of the thermoplastic cage 30 will be underno stress because its bosses 40 are at rest against curls 24,26 (FIG.7). As the door swings to the position shown in FIG. 10. cage 30 pivotsin an arc in contact with the relatively low-height supplemental cammingsurfaces 46' and approaches a position wherein it starts to ride up ontothe high portion of the latching lobes 46. Continued clockwise pivotalmovement of the door then causes cage 30 to ride on the high point 46 oflobes 45, a position indicated in FIG. 9. At this time, springs 31,32are bowed to a maximum and are stressed to swing the door closed andhold it firmly latched closed. Under these conditions the parts will bein the position shown in FIG. 4 and the springs will be bearing againstsurfaces 35 at the upper end of the inclined camming surfaces 34 of thecage. Any further closing pivotal movement of the door carries thesprings and supporting cage clockwise beyond the high point 46 of lobes45 with the result that the stressed condition of the spring snaps thedoor closed and latches it in that position with the still partiallystressed springs pressing against the high edge 46 of lobes 45 fromtheir righthand faces as viewed in FIG. 9.

Door 15 remains firmly closed against the door frame until such time asthe operator grasps the left hand of the door edge, as viewed in FIG. 1,and pulls the door counterclockwise about the axis of hinge pins 20,21.In doing so, spring cage 30 rides up onto the high point 46 of thelobes. After it is opened past the position shown in FIG. 9, thereleased spring stresses tend to accelerate the opening movement butthis movement is arrested as the rear face of cage 30 comes into bearingcontact with the rising bulge on the lowheight lobes 46. These slow theopening movement as the door continues to pivot to a position generallynormal to the front of the cabinet. If desired however, arresting lobesurfaces 46 may be extended to maintain bearing pressure against thebottom surface of retainer 30. When the door swings past surfaces 46'cage bosses 40 will rest against end curls 24,26 (FIG. 7). These curlsare attached to the pivoting second leaf and ac-. cordingly there is norelative: wiping movement between these bosses and the curls.

All wiping movement between any part of the spring cage assembly isconfined to the contact of the cage with surfaces 46,46 of camming lobes45. Since these are located along the inner side of the hinge pins, theyare concealed from view.

Reference is now had to FIGS. 2, 9, 10 and 11 from which it will beobserved that stationary hinge leaf 11 is considerably larger than hingeleaf 14. This expedient not only strengthens the hinge but makes itfeasible to provide a large cut-out in the b ight portion and the outerleg of leaf 1! sized to accommodate pivotal movement of smaller leaf 14into the plane of this cutout. Thus, smaller leaf 14 can occupy aportion of opening 50 and lie in the same plane as the outer leg ofbinge leaf 11 in the closed position of the hinge, this position of theparts being clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.

While the particular self latching hinge herein shown and disclosed indetail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing theadvantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merelyillustrative of the invention, and that no limitations are intended tothe detail of construction or design herein shown other than as definedin the appended claims.

ICLAIM:

l. A latching hinge having first and second hinge leaves havinginterleaving curls pivotally interconnected, said first leaf having lobemeans formed as a part of said curls of said first hinge leaf and theedge of which lobe means is closely offset from and parallel to thehinge axis, means separable from said second hinge leaf supporting stiffspring means captively thereon and lengthwise of said hinge axis withits mid-length loaded against an intermediate portion of said secondleaf, and said lobe means being positioned to flex the opposite ends ofsaid stiff spring means as said second hinge leaf approaches thenormally closed position of a closure member adapted to be mountedthereon thereby to increase the stress on said stiff spring means and toutilize the stress stored in said spring means to urge a closure mountedon said second hinge leaf closed as said second hinge leaf continuestoward the closed position thereof.

2. A latching hinge as defined in claim I characterized in that saidspring means includes long flat leaf spring means lying in a planeclosely parallel to the plane of said second leaf.

3. A latching hinge as defined in claim 1 characterized in that saidlobe means are effective to pick up the loading of said spring meansfrom the adjacent portions of said first hinge leaf as said second hingeleaf approaches said closed position.

4. A latching hinge as defined in claim 2 characterized in that saidmeans supporting said spring means includes non-metallic means embracingmajor portions of said leaf spring.

5. A latching hinge as defined in claim 4 characterized in that saidleaf spring supporting means comprises molded plastic material.

6. A latching hinge as defined in claim 4 characterized in that saidleaf spring supporting means is interposed between said spring said lobemeans and the adjacent curls of said first hinge leaf.

7. A latching hinge as defined in claim 1 characterized in that saidspring means includes at least one long flat spring means and aone-piece plastic cage having a recess embracing the opposite ends ofsaid spring means and interposed between one face of said spring meansand the adjacent curls of said first hinge leaf.

8. A latching spring as defined in claim 7 characterized in that saidrecess in said plastic cage is sized to snugly seat and embrace saidflat spring means.

9. A latching hinge as defined in claim 8 characterized in that thebottom of at least one end of said recess slopes gradually downwardlyand inwardly toward the center of the recess from an area adjacent theouter end of said recess.

10. A latching hinge as defined in claim 8 characterized in that thespring embracing recess is deeper in the mid portion thereof and slopesgradually toward the shallower opposite end portions thereof tofacilitate insertion of said spring means into the recess lengthwise ofsaid recess and spring means.

11. A latching hinge as defined in claim 1 characterized in that saidsecond hinge leaf is U-shaped with the legs thereof lying parallel toone another and spaced to embrace the edge of a fixed support for saidhinge, and adjustable clamping means threaded so that one of said U-legsis remote from said second hinge leaf and effective to anchor saidsecond leaf to said hinge support.

12. A latching hinge as defined in claim 11 characterized in that theU-leg of said second hinge leaf closer to the hinge axis and at least anadjacent portion of the bight portion of said second hinge leaf areblanked out thereby to permit said first hinge leaf to lie substantiallyin the plane of said last mentioned U-leg when the closure is in closedposition.

13. A latching hinge as defined in claim 11 characterized in that thehinge axis thereof is designed to be mounted spaced outwardly from theexterior face of fixed support means for said hinge and rearwardly fromone lateral edge of said support means thereby to support a closure forpivotal movement about the hinge axis and toward and away from saidfixed support means.

14. A latching hinge as defined in claim 11 characterized in that saidsecond hinge leaf is substantially larger than said first hinge leaf,and the U-leg nearest said hinge axis is blanked out in an areasufficient to accommodate said first hinge leaf when the latter ispivoted to lie generally in the plane of said U-leg.

15. A latching hinge as defined in claim 1 characterized in that thecurls of said first hinge leaf have auxiliary lobe means on the exteriorside thereof positioned to engage the adjacent surface of said stiffspring means as said second hinge leaf pivots toward the open positionthereof and away from its latched position and effective to slow theopening of the second hinge leaf under the decreasing effective stressimposed thereon by said spring means.

16. A latching hinge as defined in claim 15 characterized in that saidauxiliary lobe means is formed integral with the curls of said firsthinge leaf.

17. A latching hinge having first and second leaves provided withinterleaving curls pivotally interconnected by pivot pin means andhaving a hinge axis offset outwardly from the plane of a closure frame,said first leaf having a pair of curls spaced from either end of acenter curl, said center curl being D-shaped and sufficiently deep in adirection normal to the hinge axis to accommodate biasing means for saidhinge leaves, said biasing means including long leaf spring means and aplastic cage therefor, means holding said biasing means being assembledwithin said D-shaped curl with the opposite ends bearing against theadjacent ones of said pair of curls and the mid portion thereof bearingagainst the upright of said D-shaped curl, and said second leaf havinglobes offset from the hinge axis and positioned to bear against theopposite end portions of said biasing means and effective to load saidleaf spring as said hinge leaves approach one relative pivoted positionthereof.

18. A latching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that saidflat spring means is straight prior to assembly to said first hinge leafand is slightly bowed lengthwise thereof when in assembled position.

19. A latching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that saidcage means has shoulder means engageable with the hinge curls in theassembled position of said first and second hinge leaves thereby to locksaid biasing means in assembled position.

20. A latching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that saidplastic cage has a shallow recess in one face thereof with meansengaging the ends and edges of said spring to hold the same againstrelative disassembly when said biasing means is in an assembledposition.

21. A latching hinge as defined in claim 20 characterized in that thespring seating recess of said cage means has a bottom sloping upwardlyand outwardly toward the opposite ends thereof for camming and guidingone end of said spring means into position as the same is insertedendwise along said recess after said cage means has been assembled tosaid first hinge leaf.

22. A latching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that saidplastic cage has limited flexibility lengthwise thereof and flexes withthe adjacent ends of said spring means as the same is placed underincreasing stress by said lobes.

23. A latching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that saidcage is wider at the mid portion thereof and adapted to have a press fitwith the juxtaposed interior wall surface of the center curl of saidfirst hinge leaf and whereby the same isheld snugly and immovably inplace upon being assembled to said first hinge member.

24. A latching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that onelateral end of said D-shaped curl is integral with said first hingeleaf, and the other end of said D-shaped curl is inserted endwise intosnug assembly with an opening in said first hinge member.

25. A latching hinge as defined in claim 24 characterized in that saidother end of said D-shaped curl comprises the upright leg thereof.

26. A latching hinge as defined in claim 25 characterized in that themid portion of said flat spring means bears against the interior surfaceof the upright leg of said D-shaped curl.

27. A latching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that saidfirst hinge leaf has a pair of short tangs struck outwardly therefromhaving aligned outer free edges spaced closely from and parallel to saidhinge axis on the side of said leaf adapted to be secured to a mountingsurface, said free tang edges being engageable with the edge of themounting surface to aid in the accurate mounting of said first hingeleaf.

28. A latching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that saidsecond hinge leaf is of U-shape with the legs thereof adapted to embracethe edge of a closure frame, and manually adjustable clamping meanscarried by one of the U-legs of said second leaf for clamping said hingein its operating position with the bight portion thereof seated againstthe edge of the frame.

29. A latching hinge as defined in claim 27 characterized in that saidsecond leaf is U-shaped and pro vided with clamping screw means forgripping the edge of a closure frame when assembled thereabout, thebight of said U-shaped second hinge leaf being parallel to the hingeaxis and effective to assure proper positioning of the hinge prior totightening said clamping screw means.

30. A latching hinge having first and second leaves provided withinterleaving curls pivotally interconnected by pivot pin means, saidfirst leaf being adapted to be secured to a door frame and said secondleaf to the door therefor, the curls of said first leaf having a firstand second lobe means of different radial heights,

spring means carried by said second hinge leaf having a portionpositioned to be stressed by each of said lobe 7 means as said hingeleaves pivot relative to one another, said first lobe means beingpositioned to stress said spring means as a door mounted on said secondhinge leaf approaches closed position and so as to hold the door closedagainst the door frame when in that position, and said second lobe meansbeing located in the path of, said spring means as the latter overridessaid first lobe means while said second hinge leaf is pivoting away fromthe closed door position thereof and said second lobe means cooperatingto act as a buffer to slow the opening movement of the hinge.

31. A latching hinge as defined in claim 30 characterized in theprovision of a pair of each of said first and second lobe means spacedto either side of the mid portion of said hinge pin means.

32. A latching hinge as defined in claim 30 characterized in that saidspring means comprises a long leaf spring having its mid portionanchored to the mid width of said second hinge leaf with it oppositeends positioned to wipe across said first and second lobe means insuccession as said second hinge leaf pivots between the open and closedpositions thereof.

33. A latching hinge as defined in claim 32 characterized in theprovision of a non-metallic buffer between said lobe means and saidspring means to prevent metal-to-metal contact therebetween.

1. A latching hinge having first and second hinge leaves havinginterleaving curls pivotally interconnected, said first leaf having lobemeans formed as a part of said curls of said first hinge leaf and theedge of which lobe means is closely offset from and parallel to thehinge axis, means separable from said second hinge leaf supporting stiffspring means captively thereon and lengthwise of said hinge axis withits mid-length loaded against an intermediate portion of said secondleaf, and said lobe means being positioned to flex the opposite ends ofsaid stiff spring means as said second hinge leaf approaches thenormally closed position of a closure member adapted to be mountedthereon thereby to increase the stress on said stiff spring means and toutilize the stress stored in said spring means to urge a closure mountedon said second hinge leaf closed as said second hinge leaf continuestoward the closed position thereof.
 1. A latching hinge having first andsecond hinge leaves having interleaving curls pivotally interconnected,said first leaf having lobe means formed as a part of said curls of saidfirst hinge leaf and the edge of which lobe means is closely offset fromand parallel to the hinge axis, means separable from said second hingeleaf supporting stiff spring means captively thereon and lengthwise ofsaid hinge axis with its mid-length loaded against an intermediateportion of said second leaf, and said lobe means being positioned toflex the opposite ends of said stiff spring means as said second hingeleaf approaches the normally closed position of a closure member adaptedto be mounted thereon thereby to increase the stress on said stiffspring means and to utilize the stress stored in said spring means tourge a closure mounted on said second hinge leaf closed as said secondhinge leaf continues toward the closed position thereof.
 2. A latchinghinge as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said spring meansincludes long flat leaf spring means lying in a plane closely parallelto the plane of said second leaf.
 3. A latching hinge as defined inclaim 1 characterized in that said lobe means are effective to pick upthe loading of said spring means from the adjacent portions of saidfirst hinge leaf as said second hinge leaf approaches said closedposition.
 4. A latching hinge as defined in claim 2 characterized inthat said means supporting said spring means includes non-metallic meansembracing major portions of said leaf spring.
 5. A latching hinge asdefined in claim 4 characterized in that said leaf spring supportingmeans comprises molded plastic material.
 6. A latching hinge as definedin claim 4 characterized in that said leaf spring supporting means isinterposed between said spring said lobe means and the adjacent curls ofsaid first hinge leaf.
 7. A latching hinge as defined in claim 1characterized in that said spring means includes at least one long flatspring means and a one-piece plastic cage having a recess embracing theopposite ends of said spring means and interposed between one face ofsaid spring means and the adjacent curls of said first hinge leaf.
 8. Alatching spring as defined in claim 7 characterized in that said recessin said plastic cage is sized to snugly seat and embrace said flatspring means.
 9. A latching hinge as defined in claim 8 characterized inthat the bottom of at least one end of said recess slopes graduallydownwardly and inwardly toward the center of the recess from an areaadjacent the outer end of said recess.
 10. A latching hinge as definedin claim 8 characterized in that the spring embracing recess is deeperin the mid portion thereof and slopes gradually toward the shalloweropposite end portions thereof to facilitate insertion of said springmeans into the recess lengthwise of said recess and spring means.
 11. Alatching hinge as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said secondhinge leaf is U-shaped with the legs thereof lying parallel to oneanother and spaced to embrace the edge of a fixed support for saidhinge, and adjustable clamping means threaded so that one of said U-legsis remote from said second hinge leaf and effective to anchor saidsecond leaf to said hinge support.
 12. A latching hinge as defined inclaim 11 characterized in that the U-leg of said second hinge leafcloser to the hinge axis and at least an adjacent portion of the bightportion of said second hinge leaf are blanked out thereby to permit saidfirst hinge leaf to lie substantially in the plane of said lastmentioned U-leg when the closure is in closed position.
 13. A latchinghinge as defined in claim 11 characterized in that the hinge axisthereof is designed to be mounted spaced outwardly from the exteriorface of fixed support means for said hinge and rearwardly from onelateral edge of said support means thereby to support a closure forpivotal movement about the hinge axis and toward and away from saidfixed support means.
 14. A latching hinge as defined in claim 11characterized in that said second hinge leaf is substantially largerthan said first hinge leaf, and the U-leg nearest said hinge axis isblanked out in an area sufficient to accommodate said first hinge leafwhen the latter is pivoted to lie generally in the plane of said U-leg.15. A latching hinge as defined in claim 1 characterized in that thecurls of said first hinge leaf have auxiliary lobe means on the exteriorside thereof positioned to engage the adjacent surface of said stiffspring means as said second hinge leaf pivots toward the open positionthereof and away from its latched position and effective to slow theopening of the second hinge leaf under the decreasing effective stressimposed thereon by said spring means.
 16. A latching hinge as defined inclaim 15 characterized in that said auxiliary lobe means is formedintegral with the curls of said first hinge leaf.
 17. A latching hingehaving first and second leaves provided with interleaving curlspivotally interconnected by pivot pin means and having a hinge axisoffset outwardly from the plane of a closure frame, said first leafhaving a pair of curls spaced from either end of a center curl, saidcenter curl being D-shaped and sufficiently deep in a direction normalto the hinge axis to accommodate biasing means for said hinge leaves,said biasing means including long leaf spring means and a plastic cagetherefor, means holding said biasing means being assembled within saidD-shaped curl with the opposite ends bearing against the adjacent onesof said pair of curls and the mid portion thereof bearing against theupright of said D-shaped curl, and said second leaf having lobes offsetfrom the hinge axis and positioned to bear against the opposite endportions of said biasing means and effective to load said leaf spring assaid hinge leaves approach one relative pivoted position thereof.
 18. Alatching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that said flatspring means is straight prior to assembly to said first hinge leaf andis slightly bowed lengthwise thereof when in assembled position.
 19. Alatching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that said cagemeans has shoulder means engageable with the hinge curls in theassembled position of said first and second hinge leaves thereby to locksaid biasing means in assembled position.
 20. A latching hinge asdefined in claim 17 characterized in that said plastic cage has ashallow recess in one face thereof with means engaging the ends andedges of said spring to hold the same against relative disassembly whensaid biasing means is in an assembled position.
 21. A latching hinge asdefined in claim 20 characterized in that the spring seating recess ofsaid cage means has a bottom sloping upwardly and outwardly toward theopposite ends thereof for camming and guiding one end of said springmeans into position as the same is inserted endwise along said recessafter said cage means has been assembled to said first hinge leaf.
 22. Alatching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that said plasticcage has limited flexibility lengthwise thereof and flexes with theadjacent ends of said spring means as the same is placed underincreasing stress by said lobes.
 23. A latching hinge as defined inclaim 17 characterized in that said cage is wider at the mid portionthereof and adapted to have a press fit with the juxtaposed interiorwall surface of the center curl of said first hinge leaf and whereby thesame is held snugly and immovably in place upon being assembled to saidfirst hinge member.
 24. A latching hinge as defined in claim 17characterized in that one lateral end of said D-shaped curl is integralwith said first hinge leaf, and the other end of said D-shaped curl isinserted endwise into snug assembly with an opening in said first hingemember.
 25. A Latching hinge as defined in claim 24 characterized inthat said other end of said D-shaped curl comprises the upright legthereof.
 26. A latching hinge as defined in claim 25 characterized inthat the mid portion of said flat spring means bears against theinterior surface of the upright leg of said D-shaped curl.
 27. Alatching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in that said firsthinge leaf has a pair of short tangs struck outwardly therefrom havingaligned outer free edges spaced closely from and parallel to said hingeaxis on the side of said leaf adapted to be secured to a mountingsurface, said free tang edges being engageable with the edge of themounting surface to aid in the accurate mounting of said first hingeleaf.
 28. A latching hinge as defined in claim 17 characterized in thatsaid second hinge leaf is of U-shape with the legs thereof adapted toembrace the edge of a closure frame, and manually adjustable clampingmeans carried by one of the U-legs of said second leaf for clamping saidhinge in its operating position with the bight portion thereof seatedagainst the edge of the frame.
 29. A latching hinge as defined in claim27 characterized in that said second leaf is U-shaped and provided withclamping screw means for gripping the edge of a closure frame whenassembled thereabout, the bight of said U-shaped second hinge leaf beingparallel to the hinge axis and effective to assure proper positioning ofthe hinge prior to tightening said clamping screw means.
 30. A latchinghinge having first and second leaves provided with interleaving curlspivotally interconnected by pivot pin means, said first leaf beingadapted to be secured to a door frame and said second leaf to the doortherefor, the curls of said first leaf having a first and second lobemeans of different radial heights, spring means carried by said secondhinge leaf having a portion positioned to be stressed by each of saidlobe means as said hinge leaves pivot relative to one another, saidfirst lobe means being positioned to stress said spring means as a doormounted on said second hinge leaf approaches closed position and so asto hold the door closed against the door frame when in that position,and said second lobe means being located in the path of said springmeans as the latter overrides said first lobe means while said secondhinge leaf is pivoting away from the closed door position thereof andsaid second lobe means cooperating to act as a buffer to slow theopening movement of the hinge.
 31. A latching hinge as defined in claim30 characterized in the provision of a pair of each of said first andsecond lobe means spaced to either side of the mid portion of said hingepin means.
 32. A latching hinge as defined in claim 30 characterized inthat said spring means comprises a long leaf spring having its midportion anchored to the mid width of said second hinge leaf with itopposite ends positioned to wipe across said first and second lobe meansin succession as said second hinge leaf pivots between the open andclosed positions thereof.